Receiving tandems around the league are proving difficult to defend.
"We always talk about two guys are better than one, and it gives the quarterback more options on who he should throw to," says NFL Network analyst LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON. "Most of the time, defenses are going to have one really good corner. Well, if you have two good receivers then that's another corner that you have to have to be able to match up with that team."
Former NFL receiver ISAAC BRUCE certainly believes that having multiple accomplished receivers is extremely beneficial to an offense. In 2000, Bruce and TORRY HOLT combined for 3,106 receiving yards for the St. Louis Rams, the second-most combined receiving yardage total ever by teammates with 1,000 yards each in a season.
"Offenses definitely are more productive with multiple options in the passing game," says Bruce. "Opposing defenses can't roll coverage or double and that creates man-to-man opportunities for the receiver, which opens up the offense"
Entering Week 8, six receiving duos are on pace for each player to reach 1,000 yards, which would tie for the third-most in NFL history (seven in 1999 and 2009).
The most combined receiving yards totals by teammates with 1,000 yards each in a season in NFL history:
| Receiving Duo | Team | Season | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL | |||
| Herman Moore/Brett Perriman | Detroit Lions | 1995 | 3,174 |
| Isaac Bruce/Torry Holt | St. Louis Rams | 2000 | 3,106 |
| Bill Groman/Charley Hennigan | Houston Oilers | 1961 | 2,921 |
| Ed McCaffrey/Rod Smith | Denver Broncos | 2000 | 2,919 |
| Rob Gronkowski/Wes Welker | New England Patriots | 2011 | 2,896 |
On pace to become the sixth trio to record 1,000 receiving yards each in NFL history, Denver Broncos wide receivers Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker force the defense to make difficult decisions.
"You take your pick, they all play like No. 1 receivers," says Broncos All-Pro cornerback CHAMP BAILEY. "I don't care where they play, or where they line up, that corner is going to have his hands full."
The teams with three players with 1,000 receiving yards in a season in NFL history:
| Team | Year | Receivers |
|---|---|---|
| Source: NFL | ||
| Cardinals | 2008 | Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Larry Fitzgerald |
| Colts | 2004 | Marvin Harrison, Brandon Stokley, Reggie Wayne |
| Falcons | 1995 | Bert Emanuel, Terance Mathis, Eric Metcalf |
| Redskins | 1989 | Gary Clark, Art Monk, Ricky Sanders |
| Chargers | 1980 | John Jefferson, Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow |
NFL Football News & Analysis
NFL Football News & Analysis [...]
- NFL 2013 Week 8 Preview
- NFL 2013 Week 8 Preview: What to Look For
- Receiving Tandems Making Impact
- Division Games Take On Added Importance
- Bucs Tackle Gerald McCoy Defends Greg Schiano
- Brett Favre Turns Down Rams Request to Return
- Riddell to Lose Status as NFL's Official Helmet
- Michael Vick Most Hated NFL Player
- NFL 2013 Week 7: AFC Players of the Week
- NFL 2013 Week 7: NFC Players of the Week
- NFL 2013 Week 7: The Week That Was
- NFL 2013 Week 7 Preview
- NFL 2013 Week 7 Preview: What to Look For
- Texans Third-string QB Case Keenum to Start Against Chiefs
- Inside Pressure: Key to Slowing Down High-Powered Passing Offenses
- Chicago Bears Defense Keeps Scoring
- Bum Phillips, ex-Oilers and Saints coach, dead at 90
- Jerod Mayo Out for Season, Placed on Patriots injured reserve
- Eagles QB Michael Vick Needs Another Week of Injury Rehab
- Chiefs Fans Break Seahawks World Record for Crowd Noise
- NFL 2013 Week 6: AFC Players of the Week
- NFL 2013 Week 6: NFC Players of the Week
- Lions Tackle Ndamukong Suh Fined Again for Another Quarterback Hit
- NFL 2013 Week 6: The Week That Was
Article: Copyright ©, iHaveNet.com
NFL 2013 Week 8: Receiving Tandems Making Impact